It takes so much compassion to be with the letting go we have to do to
come into peace with the difficult truths of life. This talk explores
ways we can cultivate compassion in our practice and in our lives.

Opening the heart through consciously allowing ourselves to touch and
be touched by all of life, including the difficult, dissolves the
defensive armor of separation; this allows us to receive life's
nourishment and discover true inner strength.

Hindrances and habits prevent us from experiencing a natural and peaceful radiance of mind. Meditators learn to make peace with obstacles. We learn to work skillfully with the hindrances. Sloth and torpor and restlessness are common energetic imbalances that either dull the mind into sleepiness and laziness, or agitate the mind by promoting worry and anxiety. This talk examines the causes that produce the hindrances, and provides practical suggestions and tools for working with obstacles and overcoming their force.